Key loss: Allen Liwag
Key holdovers: Nat Cosejo, JP Maguliano, Ralph Robin, King Gurtiza
Season 98 record: 3-15 (10th place)
The past years haven't been too friendly to Emilio Aguinaldo College as the Generals were often near the cellar of the NCAA men's basketball standings.
And hoping for a change this upcoming Season 99, EAC will lean on its youthful squad looking for a fresh start.
Still leading the squad is senior Nat Cosejo, who had a breakout season in their previous campaign with averages of 13.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.75 blocks, and 0.38 steals in a year that also saw him win the NCAA All-Star MVP award.
Helping him are key holdovers JP Maguliano, Mac Balowa, JC Luciano, Joshua Tolentino, Art Cosa, Erl Umpad, Brianne Angeles, Jethro Bacud, Andrey Doria, and Nicole Quinal.
But EAC will also get a boost, especially on the offensive end, as they welcome back the backcourt duo of Ralph Robin and King Gurtiza, who were both unable to finish the previous season after being slapped with suspensions by the school.
In NCAA Season 98, Robin averaged 8.4 points while Gurtiza normed 4.5 points but the two played only 13 games between them.
"Okay naman 'yung preparation namin, talagang pinaghandaan namin 'yung season dahil ang goal namin ay makapasok sa Final Four," Cosejo told GMA Integrated News in an interview.
"Malaking tulong talaga sila (Robin and Gurtiza). Nung nawala sila, kinulang kami sa tao kasi malaki ambag nila."
("Our preparations have been okay, we are working hard to get ready for the season because our goal is to make the Final Four... They are a big help. When they were out, we were short on manpower because they really contribute a lot.")
Completing the roster are Ckierlvin Ednilag and Kyle Ochavo while Ruzzelle Dominguez, Gelo Loristo, and Stephen Villaflor were listed as reserves.
While it has a relatively intact lineup, the Generals will have to adjust to a new system with new head coach Jerson Allen Cabiltes now at the helm. He came in as a replacement for Oliver Bunyi, who called the shots from Seasons 95 to 98.
"Bagong coach so kailangan din naming mag-adjust at kailangan namin i-adapt 'yung sistema ni coach. Pero ngayon okay naman at looking forward lang kami sa NCAA," Cosejo added.
("We have a new coach so we also need to adjust and adapt to the system. But now, it's okay and we're looking forward to the NCAA season.")
NCAA Season 99 opens on September 24. Watch the games live on GTV.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
